April 30, 2021

A locally owned pet supply store opened today on West 41st Street.

Pawsabilities carries a wide selection of food, accessories and toys for dogs and cats in a 3,500-square-foot store that’s next to Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe in a retail center that’s anchored by Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet.

The store also has supplies for small animals such as gerbils, snakes, birds and fish.

For those who like to feed wild birds, there are supplies for that too.

That wide selection of inventory is what owner Rodney Kramer was looking for himself as the owner of four dogs who wanted to shop in a local store instead of going to one of the larger chains.

He also wants customers to make suggestions from additional products to add to the inventory.

The store carries a variety of pet food brands across a range of price points.

“A lot of the brands that we carry, we try to stay away from what Lewis, or Ace (Hardware) or what the big-box stores would carry and have more unique brands,” Kramer said.

“Our house brand actually is a Free Spirit (product) because nobody else around town carries it. It’s still a very high-quality brand with chicken and the highest proteins.”

Pets are welcome in the store.

The new business is an expansion into another industry for Kramer, who started High End Glass & Tobacco in 2016. He has a shop two blocks west of the pet supply store and one in Sioux City.

Once Pawsabilities is up and running, Kramer plans to work on adding grooming services. He also hopes to expand into selling small animals, birds and possibly reptiles in the next few months.

Opening-day activities this afternoon include free photos with pets. Almost Home Canine Rescue will be there with dogs that can be adopted, and Kramer noted that he plans to host more adoption events.

Pawsabilities at 1208 W. 41st St. is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.